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U.S. sales of BMW brand vehicles edge up in June

Following two consecutive months of declining sales, the BMW Group posted a 0.4% increase in its brand sales in the U.S. for the month of June.

The automaker sold 28,962 vehicles compared to 28,855 in June 2016. Through the first six months of 2017, BMW brand sales in the U.S. are down 2.8% compared to the same time a year ago, the company said.

Light truck sales for the month were up 4.9% in June. For the first six months of 2017, X model sales are up 11.9% compared to the same period last year on increases in sales of the X3 and X5.

BMW’s light truck division, which includes all of the X models produced at Plant Spartanburg, continued to show strong domestic sales in June. U.S. sales of the X4 in June jumped 37.8% compared to June 2016, while the X5 and X6 models increased by 14.2% and 8.1%, respectively. Only the X3 experienced a year-over-year decline as U.S. sales were off 8.6%.

“We’re pleased to see the new BMW 5 Series sedan continues gaining strength as availability increases, and our sports activity vehicles, especially the X1 and X5, remained strong favorites in June,” said Bernhardt Kuhnt, president and CEO of BMW of North America, in a news release.

The drop in U.S. Mini brand sales coupled with the modest increase in BMW brand sales meant BMW Group sales were down for June. The company reported group sales of 33,372 vehicles, a decrease of 1.2% from the 33,769 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. In the first six months of 2017, group sales were down 4.1% compared to the same time period a year ago.

“The volatility that has characterized much of early 2017 is likely to continue through the second half of the year, requiring an even stronger focus on the quality of our business to achieve the desired results,” Kuhnt said.